This blog highlights the ponds in Washington County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2017 ice fishing season. About a dozen and a half ponds open to ice fishing in this county are stocked with trout each fall. Most of these fish are relatively small (7” to 12”), but plentiful, in order to provide fast action. The state also spiced up some of the ponds with larger trout, which are defined here as fish measuring 13” or more, and weighing at least 1 pound. Click here for tips to increase your chances of catching more brookies through the ice.
I only present ponds in Washington County that were stocked in the fall with at least 2 large trout per acre. As a rough yardstick, the average stocking density for landlocked salmon in Maine ponds and lakes is about 0.3 to 0.5 fish per acre, which equals 1 salmon every two to three acres. Keep in mind that the number of bigger trout stocked in a pond is typically much lower than for the smaller trout. Hence, patience is required to catch those larger fish through the ice.
It is recommended to consult the latest regulations about special rules that may apply on the ponds presented below, such as number of lines allowed, daily bag limit, use of bait fish, minimum length limit, etc. I did my utmost best to verify that a particular pond is indeed open for ice fishing, but I make no guarantees whatsoever that my interpretation of the convoluted Maine fishing rules is accurate or correct. It is up to each reader of this blog to ensure that the ponds listed below can be fished through the ice. Note also that the list excludes “kids fishing only” ponds which have their own stocking regime and rules.
A beautiful 14″ stocked brook trout caught through the ice
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Goulding Lake covers 17 acres and is located next to Western Road in Robbinston (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 37 D1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (50 fish of 13”), which yields between 3 large trout per acre.
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Indian Lake covers 120 acres and is located next to Route 1 in Whiting (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 26 B5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (200 fish of 13” and 35 fish of 17”), which yields about 2 large trout per acre.
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Keeley Lake covers 49 acres and is located between Second Marks Lake and Six Mile Lake off Route 192 in Marshfield (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 26 B2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (100 fish of 13”), which yields about 2 large trout per acre.
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Vining Lake covers 19 acres and is located off Route 191 in Cooper (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 36 E3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (50 fish of 13”), which yields between 2 and 3 large trout per acre.
Was the information in this blog useful? I invite you to share your thoughts and opinions. Also, feel free to discuss your fishing experiences at any of these locations.
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